Unforgettable Family Dining Adventures

Here are some of our favourite family dining experiences hosted at five of our camps:

 

View the full itinerary here.

 

Barge brunch or supper at Wilderness DumaTau

 

Dine in the company of elephants. Located in the wildlife-rich 125,000-hectare Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, Wilderness DumaTau’s a natural for outdoor dining. The main camp and its smaller sister camp (Little DumaTau) lie between two elephant corridors in the Linyanti, with unique access to both the Linyanti River floodplain and the Savuti Channel. On ancient pathways at the end of the Great Rift Valley, along and through the waterways, elephant and other game traverse these corridors – essential to supporting viable, self-sustaining wildlife populations. Aside from access to one of the world’s largest elephant mega-herds, Wilderness DumaTau boasts over 45 km of traversing rights, meaning unrivalled wildlife sightings, both land- and water-based. In the evenings around the floating fire pit, resting on the lagoon fronting camp, a wildlife chorus performs.

 

Culturally inspired meals are taken in the boma; there are also romantic candlelit dinners, brunch or supper aboard a barge languidly drifting on the Linyanti River or across Osprey Lagoon – luxuriate in the wealth of dining options at DumaTau. While you enjoy the chef’s creative and delicious menu, elephants may swim past. Savour your meal overlooking the gorgeous landscape – the floodplains, waterways, ilala palms, and riverine forests.

 

Wilderness Little Dumatau’s hands-on brekkie

 

Intimate, sophisticated, elegant; welcome to Wilderness Little DumaTau. With just four supremely spacious guest suites, each with its own lounge, private plunge pool, bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, and uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, Little DumaTau is sublime. Not far from its ‘big sister’ camp, it offers the same exceptional wildlife experiences; elephants and other wildlife are never far. Watch wild dogs hunt. Observe a leopard’s grace as it grooms itself in the boughs of a marula tree. Brace yourself for considerable predator-prey action, as lion and speciality antelope such as roan and sable lead the chase. Don’t even try and count the vast numbers of dust-kicking buffalo, or all the elephants.

 

As sophisticated as Little DumaTau is, simple pleasures are observed – like its campfire breakfast on the edge of the lagoon. A kids’ favourite, this breakfast is interactive, in the cooking as well as eating. Chef welcomes assistance, though young ones may rather indulge in antelope-spotting on the riverbanks, or watching yet more ellies swim across the water. The view is breathtaking, the fare hearty and delicious – and it doesn’t require a 5am wake-up call.

 

Laze-about picnic at Wilderness Vumbura Plains

 

Captivating Wilderness Vumbura Plains lies in the Okavango’s far north, perched on raised decks in the midst of the melapo – the annually inundated grasslands. The camp almost floats over water, radiant blue and pure enough to drink. Nestled under tree canopies and airily open to nature, Vumbura Plains serves up intimate wildlife encounters on the spectacular floodplains, studded with ilala palms and small islands: lions cross the channels in pursuit of prey; an array of other predators, such as African wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, and various antelope – including rare sable and aquatic sitatunga – try to elude them. Slip quietly through the channels in a traditional mokoro; buzz a bit faster by Delta boat. Adventure into the skies (at extra cost) on a thrilling helicopter ride. From the luxurious comfort of your suite, watch elephants grazing peacefully in the distance. Search for some of Botswana’s 600 bird species, lilac-breasted rollers, carmine bee-eaters, secretary birds, and Pel’s fishing-owls among them.

 

 

Loll under majestic trees, lunching on an array of delectables, sipping your favourite drink, and keeping your eyes open for visiting wildlife on a long, lingering bush picnic. Board games and books come along for the afternoon, if anyone wants other diversions. But just being immersed in the bush, absorbing its sights, smells, and sounds, is probably entertainment enough.

 

Wilderness Mombo’s harvest celebration

 

Exquisite, understated luxury on the Okavango’s palm-studded floodplains, Wilderness Mombo, our flagship Botswana camp, offers some of the best game-viewing on Earth. Thrill to plentiful predator-prey interaction, dominated by the big cats, or at sightings of all the other charismatic large mammals. Connect to our staff and African culture in a boma evening of traditional song and dance. See why Wilderness Mombo is truly ‘the Place of Plenty’ and ‘Mother of All Camps’.

 

 

There’s much to celebrate at Wilderness Mombo. Gather around the camp’s harvest table; a feast of freshness beautifully laid out on a rustic wooden table, family style – everyone helps themselves to the bounty. Dine, imbibe, converse; there’s plenty for the younger set to eat and do. And there’s no telling what wildlife will make an appearance.

 

Wilderness Little Makalolo’s pizza

 

An authentic safari camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Wilderness Little Makalolo invites an intimate family safari, filled with unforgettable moments. The camp's exceptionally warm staff take care of your every need, while you take in all that Hwange has to offer. Relax poolside, and watch the wildlife parade from the raised deck with views over the waterhole. From signature sundowner stops out in the bush, to lantern-lit dinners in front of the camp, to breakfast jaffles and traditional nhopi porridge served around the fire, dining at Little Makalolo is a treat for the senses. Venture into the bush for the spectacle, and treat, of pizzas baked out in the bush…

 

 

Rest in the shade of large trees at Little Makalolo’s Madison Pan boma, while kids pick their toppings and staff prepare your tailor-made pizzas. Pizza – universally beloved, this time uniquely African-style. Bellies full, head to the Star Bed here overlooking the pan as the night sky begins to twinkle.